YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is leaving it up to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to resolve the crisis with Misbun Sidek internally.

Hannah said she is not aware of the contract content and discussions agreed between BAM and Misbun, the former Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) junior singles coaching director. 

“It is a contractual issue between BAM and its coaches. Let BAM answer to whatever issues are raised by Misbun first. I believe they can handle the case,” she said.

She made the comment after handling over the Jalur Gemilang to the national contingent headed for the VII Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago from August 4 to 11.

Hannah said any complaints that involve contracts between associations and their athletes, coaches or administrators, are usually managed by the Sports Commissioner’s Office..

Last Friday, the BAM special committee headed by its deputy president, V. Subramaniam in a media conference announced reaching a separation agreement with Misbun following the poor performance of the national junior badminton squad at the Asia Junior Championship in Jogjakarta, Indonesia recently. 

However, Misbun in a media conference yesterday denied the matter and claimed that he was dismissed without any opportunity to defend himself and the move was not a mutual agreement.

Meanwhile, Hannah congratulated wushu athlete Tammy Tan Hui Ling who ended a 38-year wait for Malaysia’s first gold medal at the World University Games (Universiade) in Chengdu, China on Sunday in the women’s Qiangshu event while Umar Osman also succeeded in breaking the men’s national 400m record today.

She said, it proves that if the right focus and exposure is given to young athletes, they can ‘fly high’ on the international stage.

“I hope wushu with the support given by the ministry, will continue to excel, with the next focus being the Asian Games.

“Recently we brought Umar and (sprinter) Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi to schools to attract children’s interest and give schoolchildren the opportunity to run on the Bukit Jalil National Stadium track.

“I believe we will have many more rising stars in athletics and we must do well if we want to chase gold at international games,” she said.

Meanwhile, head of the national contingent to the Commonwealth Youth Games Ang Li Peng, said a total of 14 athletes aged 14-18 from swimming, athletics and cycling (road and track) will represent Malaysia at the Games.

She is confident that they will do well, although no targets have been set to avoid pressure. – Bernama, August 1, 2023.